The purpose of this drill is to learn to play on both the offense and defense.
The Instructor (I) stands in the middle of the backcourt and feeds to player #1’s forehand side. #1 hits the first ball and then slides back to the middle.
The second ball is hit short, #1 comes in and tries to be offensive. If a good shot is hit, the player generally follows it to the net, but during this drill, pretend the opponent hits a good shot off the aggressive ball.
This should will force #1 to back up and hit the ball as shown above.
Emphasize the importance of hitting high over the net when hitting this shot.
Try to visualize targets over the net and show how they differ on each of these two hits.
The purpose of this is to increase the distance between stops, thus encouraging greater acceleration and deceleration.
The players all place their rackets in the corners of two adjoining courts. Two rackets are placed between the courts at the net posts. Three balls are placed on the strings of each racket. One ball is placed between the two racket handles. When the instructor says “go,” the players run and grab one ball and place it on their own racket strings. At this point, the players can steal off each other’s rackets, but they can only handle one ball at a time. The goal is to get three balls on your racket before anyone else. The coach should act as a commentator during this conditioning drill.
This drill builds forward-backward movement and emphasizes placement of the overhead.
Place the Sports Targets as shown above and give each a number or name. The Instructor (I) should stand inside the baseline in order to make the lobs go up quickly over players’ heads.
The Instructor (I) throws up a lob and calls a number. #1 must respond by hitting the overhead for that target. A successful shot earns the player a point. Then the player must run to the net and touch it before the Instructor feeds the next ball.
After #1 scores 10 points, the next player can go. The drill is difficult, so you can adjust the number as needed. I suggest making it very low at first, and then gradually build to 10.
This drill demonstrates that the short and low ball in the middle results in a very difficult passing shot attempt.
#1 feeds #2 a ball in the middle of the court, and #2 must either hit a short approach in the middle or slice down the line. In the above diagram, #2 has chosen to go short and up the middle. Often this approach catches #1 too far back in the court in anticipation of taking a full swing at the passing shot. The object will be to force #1 to move forward and hit up on the ball.
#1 must now try to pass #2 from a very difficult position. If #2 can read #1’s racket face well, #2 can usually get a chance to put away a volley. #1 cannot take a full swing for fear of missing long. Therefore, the ball must hit much softer, allowing more time for the volley.
This drill should improve the placement of serves.
#1 and #2 begin to play a set. However, #1 must not only serve the ball in the service box, but is must also land on the shaded area indicated above. You can mark this area with chalk or use masking tape. If the player is not successful with the placement, the serve is a “fault.”
For adding to the drill, you can simply place a line behind which the serve must land. #1 must try to hit the serve deep in the service box. If unsuccessful, it is a fault. Remember the lines can be moved according to the level of the player. The purpose is to make players aware of depth and placement and not to frustrate players of lesser ability.
Combine the lines and create 3 service spots. Spot #A is a wide serve off the court. Spot #B should deliver the serve at the body. Spot #C is in the middle. You can require #1 to call the spot before the serve to #2. If #1 misses, then #2 can take a turn.
These games create targets for both the server and returner.
#1 serves to #2 who must attempt to return the serve down the line. #1 and #2 then play out the point on the left side of the court. After a pre-determined number, #1 and #2 switch roles. Games to 7 points work well.
#1 serves to #2 who must try to return the ball crosscourt. #1 and #2 then play out the point on the crosscourt side. This drill is great for practicing doubles.
#1 serves to #2 who goes cross-court on the return. #1 must serve and come to the net. In this drill, #1 must volley down the line, point is played out on the right side. As you can see, there are many variations of this drill.
This drill builds strong volleys and reflexes.
#1 serves the ball to the shades area on #2’s side of the court. #2 must try to volley this ball back in the shaded area on #1’s side of the court.
After the first volley, #2 should move forward and try to gain a more offensive position to finish the point. If the first volley is weak, #2 must at least hold ground and not back up. The players play out the point.
Be sure to sue the other half of the court as shown above. Also, after each rotation, be sure that #1 and #2 switch roles so that both have the opportunity to volley.
A variety of serves is crucial to success. Often these two serves are overlooked. This drill reminds players of the need to use them in their serving mix.
#1 serves to #2 and tries to hit the serve into the body. Most of the time, servers think this means the backhand side as diagramed above (assuming players are right-handed). This serve is very effective and should keep #2 from taking a full swing at the return. This serve also forces #2 to move her feet and body to get into position to return the serve.
The serve into the body on the forehand side is often the most under-utilized and overlooked, yet most effective serve. #1 serves as diagramed above into the body of #2, but on the forehand side. Often #2 oversteps to return the forehand and tries to over-hit it, both of which will result in losing the point.
This game should teach players that crosscourt shots mean less running and more points. (Be sure to ask your players if they realize this to be true!)
#1 starts the first 5 points and feeds only crosscourts. #2 only hits down the lines. The pattern continues. If the ball lands in front of the service line, the returning player is allowed to approach the net, and the pattern stays the same.
After 5 points, #2 starts 5 consecutive points and feeds only crosscourts to #1. #1 only hits down the lines. The pattern changes every five points until one player reaches 21 points.
The above pattern shows #1 hitting only crosscourt while #2 hits down the line. Note that #1 and #2 are moving constantly to return their opponent’s shots, but #2 has to run further to reach each ball.
Variations:
To be sure that players learn control, allow the point to start only after #1 and #2 have each hit times. On windy or sunny days, switch sides of the court after 11 points.
This game will improve quickness and reflexes at the net.
The Instructor (I) stands in the back of the service line but in front of the baseline and places four players as shown in the diagram. The players play out the point with volleys after the instructor feeds the ball.
After several points the instructor throws up a deep lob. It is very important that this lob is not too short.
#3 and #4 race back for the overhead and #1 and #2 are required to act like Tigers staying in their boxes trying to reflex volley the overhead.
If #3 and #4 win the point, they return to the net, and the drill begins again. But if #1 and #2 win, then #3 and #4 must repeat the overhead.